David Jolly

After nearly three decades of Republican control of Florida, the executive office of the governor has become more powerful than ever before. So when Florida voters choose between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly for governor on Nov. 3, the winner will be poised to shape the state’s direction for years to come.

During the Jim Crow era of American history from the late 19th century to the mid-1960s, state and local laws enforced racial segregation and systematically denied Black people their basic rights and ability to vote.

The two Democrats at the top of the Florida party’s statewide ticket came together Friday on the campus of Florida A&M University — one of the few times they have campaigned in tandem since winning their nominations.

A new poll of more than 700 Hispanic Floridians shows an electorate deeply worried about the rising cost-of-living, expressing broad support for the Amendment 3 property tax relief proposal and favoring Democrat David Jolly for governor slightly more than Republican Byron Donalds.

In the gubernatorial contest, Republican Byron Donalds leads Democrat David Jolly by two percentage points, 49% to 47%, with 4% undecided. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Ashley Moody holds a four-point edge, 49% to 45%, against Democratic challenger Angie Nixon in the U.S. Senate race, with 5% undecided.

In a wide ranging conversation with WLRN, Erika Donalds, the wife of Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, offered thoughts on immigration, the role of local governments in Florida and education policy. She spoke with WLRN on Friday before she addressed the Tower Club in Fort Lauderdale.

The multi-stop tour features Donalds alongside his wife, Erika Donalds, running mate Bryan Avila, and a rotation of prominent conservative figures. Covering 50 stops across 38 counties, the journey spans from the Panhandle down to South Florida.

Democrat gubernatorial candidate David Jolly and Democratic Attorney General candidate Jose Javier Rodriguez were the top endorsements for statewide office.

About 10% of Black voters are undecided, Jolly said, with about 80% of siding with him. An NBC 6 poll shows Jolly with 76% of Black voters’ support and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a Black Republican, with 10%.

Calling himself the “Ted Lasso” of political discourse, Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly says he would be able to work across party lines and is framing the Nov. 3 election as a “generational moment” for Floridians.

Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly and running mate Gwen Graham addressed deportation fears, affordable housing and economic opportunities during a North Miami campaign stop. ‘I call it Operation Save Florida,’ she said.

Byron Donalds overstates David Jolly’s offshore drilling lobbying, ignores anti-drilling record.